Seyielhuvi Zhunyu
I am not a big fan of politics, politicians, to be more correct from our part of the world. Neither do I know much about the politics in play, yet, ironically, it does not stop me from having my say. With that said, considering the miles between me Nagaland, I might be a bit out of the loop as well to talk or write about the prevailing political drama in dept and in length. However, I take comfort in the fact that, technically speaking, the world is smaller today than it was yesterday. It is a small world.
What we are witnessing today is a bunch of ‘loose characters’ in bed with the talisman of the BJP in the state. And it is no rocket science to figure out that someone has had his ego severely battered when he was compelled to step down in disgrace. Ever since, this political Mummy has been sleeplessly conniving seeking for self-resurrection from the damnation he was in. He would not hesitate to align himself with any force, good or evil, moral or immoral, to achieve this end for to him it does not make any difference anymore. In the course of time, he had met the devil himself who, under certain terms and conditions, agreed to bring him back to life along with his cohorts.
Granting the possibility of other non-state agents in play, it is being rumored that some sort of collusion with the BJP has been drafted in an attempt to elevate the position of the BJP in the next general election in the state. Although the Governor himself is not the main course here, it is appropriate to point him out as we the people have the right to expect him to act wisely to settle the issues at hand without being biased to any political parties including his. Did we see that happen? A big NO. It is indeed a major setback and disgrace to our democracy when the Governor failed to uphold the dignity of the office he holds; in the hour when the people needed his just and unprejudiced judgment, he has miserably failed to deliver. He has succumbed to mere dirty partisan politics of the day.
Talking about the BJP, the writer does not belong to any political party in the state, and does not view the party as threat to the state in any way despite the fact that it has been linked to numerous criminal incidents and political conspiracy theories in the nation. However, if the BJP is really serious about turning India into a Hindu state as alleged, believe me, it will get what it wanted – a Hindu state indeed. Can they live with it? I don’t think so. But the ball is in their court.
Excuse me for the detour I had to take there. We elect our politicians to represent us, to give us voice, to act on/in our behalf whenever and wherever needed, to usher in developments and security, to ensure and protect our rights and freedom, to work for our prosperity, and to bring about the best possible outcomes in all of its endeavors, etc. On the contrary, it is wildly appalling to see that they have become so short-sighted and blindsided by the lust of power. Their obsession for personal enrichment has caused them to lose touch with reality. All they care about is staying in power so that they can manipulate the mass and the funds meant to bring developments and changes in the land.
I mean no disrespect, but our politicians have made the public very hard to respect and trust them. Some poor fellow once said, “Ash…MLA saap told me to come back the next day, but when I returned the next day, I was told at the gate that MLA saap had left for Delhi. Ash…” Does it sound familiar? They are doing the exact to the public in general. We can no longer expect any integrity from them. But, hey, we know better… You may not know them in person, but as the Holy Bible says, “A tree is known by its fruits,” so can we judge and know who our politicians really are when we daily bump our bottoms around on unrepaired roads that now have the semblance of a river in the monsoon and a dried up riverbed in the Winter. Our bridges are not even safe to walk on anymore. Our cities are only beautiful to look at from a distance, at least. Corruption is at its highest in almost all the state departments.
When are we going to hold them responsible for all these self-serving deeds, for the unrepaired roads and bridges, for the undeveloped urban and rural areas, and the corruption that has crept into every segment of the state machinery? In truth, they could not be where they are today, the special privileges and the luxurious lifestyles they so enjoy, without the people yet they do not think that they are beholden to the people. It is high time that we the people seriously engage to take back what rightfully belongs to us, the Government, from the hands of the few corrupt career politicians and bureaucrats who have gained so much at the expense of the common people.
